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AC Milan have reportedly set their sights on former Borussia Dortmund executive Sebastian Kehl as the leading candidate to spearhead their new sporting project under recently appointed manager Ruben Amorim. After parting ways with their previous sporting leadership following a lacklustre season, the Rossoneri are moving swiftly to establish a management structure that complements Amorim’s modern tactical philosophy.

Kehl in contention for a key role

The hunt for a new technical director at AC Milan has taken an interesting direction after the club’s failed attempt to entice Markus Krosche from Eintracht Frankfurt. As per reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s hierarchy have now shifted their focus to Kehl, who became a free agent earlier this year following the conclusion of his long association with Borussia Dortmund. Kehl’s extensive experience at the top level of European football, particularly in talent recruitment and development, makes him a compelling choice for the Italian giants.

Tottenham setback opens the door

Milan’s interest in Kehl comes at a favourable time, with the German football administrator recently seeing a move to the Premier League fall apart. Kehl had engaged in advanced discussions with Tottenham Hotspur and even travelled to London for direct negotiations. However, the proposed deal collapsed when both sides failed to reach an agreement on the club’s strategic direction going forward.

This development now positions Kehl as an attractive option for Milan, where club owner Gerry Cardinale is keen to create a high-performance culture around new boss Ruben Amorim. In contrast to the situation at Tottenham—where disagreements over the club hierarchy and the potential influence of Roberto De Zerbi reportedly complicated matters—Milan are determined to recruit a sporting director who can work seamlessly with Amorim’s vision and squad requirements.

Amorim’s Sporting CP connection

Bringing in a new director is considered an essential step in executing Amorim’s ambitious transfer strategy. The Portuguese coach has expressed his desire to reunite with some of his former players from Sporting CP to speed up the adaptation of his system at San Siro. Among his top transfer priorities are Morten Hjulmand and Francisco Trincao, both of whom played under him in Lisbon.

Having a figure of Kehl’s stature in the front office would be instrumental as Milan prepare for potentially complicated negotiations with Sporting. While Hjulmand is also being monitored by Manchester United and Manchester City, the Rossoneri are optimistic that Amorim’s personal rapport with the Danish midfielder could tilt the balance in their favour. Trincao, on the other hand, is valued for his tactical flexibility, which aligns with Cardinale’s desire to see Milan play dynamic, forward-thinking football.

Alternative candidates remain on the list

Although Kehl stands out as a leading candidate, Milan are keeping other options open as they continue their search for a technical director. Among the other names being assessed is Jose Boto, the former Benfica scout who currently works with Flamengo and previously collaborated with Amorim during their time in Portugal. The club is also monitoring Devin Ozek, who has prior experience with Fenerbahce.

Additionally, intermediaries have put forward Jason Ayto, who recently departed Brighton, as a possible contender. Milan’s ultimate objective is to identify a sporting director who fully aligns with Cardinale’s philosophy of proactive, attack-minded football. Speaking about the new era under Amorim, Cardinale stated: “He is one of the most prepared and forward-thinking coaches of the new European generation — young, ambitious, with a distinct football identity and a well-defined tactical structure. Ruben believes in attacking, high-intensity football. His philosophy fits perfectly with our vision.”